Dallas Cowboys WR Miles Austin says he’s 100 percent now, ‘fired up’ to return to the field Sunday at New York Giants

IRVING – The Dallas Cowboys’ sputtering offense might not be more creative Sunday in New York, but it should get a boost with the return of starting receiver Miles Austin.

Austin hasn’t played in five of the last seven games, including the last three, because of a strained left hamstring he suffered in the third quarter of a Week 3 win over St. Louis.

Austin said Friday that he’s 100 percent now and “excited” and “fired up” to return to the field.

Austin missed the next two games after his injury against St. Louis. He played in back-to-back games against Washington and Philadelphia but didn’t have a catch despite being targeted seven times.

In fact, Austin has gone two months since his last catch against the Rams.

“It doesn’t feel too long,” he said.

The Cowboys are 1-4 with Austin out this season, and opponents have had an easier time taking tight end Jason Witten out of the game.

Austin thrives as a slot receiver. The Cowboys call him their best route runner, and because he runs precise slants to the middle of the field opponents can’t ignore him and that gives Witten more space to operate.

Romo targeted Austin 12 times in the Cowboys’ season-opening win over the Giants and he caught 10 passes for 72 yards.

“He is a weapon,” Witten said. “If they start doing the double we have seen in the past it’s going to create some matchups for us.”

Austin hasn’t caught a touchdown pass since a Dec. 23 loss to New Orleans in Week 16 last season. He’s gone 13 months since he last caught a touchdown pass in a road game, dating back to Week 7 of last season at Carolina.

But in the 50 games since Jason Garrett took over as head coach midway through 2010, the Cowboys have been at their best when Austin has flourished.

In Garrett’s tenure, the Cowboys are 7-2 when Austin leads the team in receiving yards. They’re 8-12 when receiver Dez Bryant leads them in receiving yards and 8-5 when Witten leads the way.

“Just to have him out there and get him going,” Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray said of Austin, “will be special for us.”

Follow Brandon George on Twitter at @DMN_George.

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